Tuvok's recent unexplained bout of flashbacks appears to coincide with Voyager's passing of a nearby nebula rich in sirillium. Unfortunatley, flashbacks are known to destroy brain tissue in Vulcans, leading to death. While there is nothing the doctor can do, a mind meld can help Tuvok to find where the flashback is coming from and stop it. Janeway agrees to help Tuvok, and their meld takes them back in time 80 years when Tuvok had served aboard the USS Excelsior, then being captained by Hikaru Sulu.

Kelly helps Jimmy treat a bleeding cut, and panics after getting some of the blood on her hand. The doctor assures her that she cannot contract HIV this way, but she decides to take an AIDS test because of her history of unprotected sex. The test is negative, and Kelly apologizes for shunning Jimmy. The gang watches Jimmy perform a magic show; later that evening, he tells Kelly that he has just a few days to live. David refuses to tell his father that he has dropped out of school, so Donna breaks the news to Mel. Mel issues David an ultimatum: he must finish college or lose all financial support. Brandon and Mark hire a confident young woman as their news anchor. She suffers a panic attack just before the first broadcast. Mark and Brandon try to calm her with a drink, and she ends up getting plastered. Kenny declares his love for Valerie. Music: 'Strange Way' by Firefall, 'Just Because I Love You' by Lina Santiago.

Joe and Nicki are in turmoil again. The roommates are concerned when Joe mysteriously disappears. When he returns, the two lovebirds are blissfully happy and vow to never again face such a crisis. Dan is finding that Arnie remaining in the closet is a growing problem. While Dan's brother is visiting, Dan and Arnie's relationship comes to a head. In the end, Dan agrees to be there for Arnie to help him through the process of coming out of the closet.